BYD Dolphin Tyre Pressure Chart and TPMS Thresholds
The BYD Dolphin's recommended tyre pressure is 250 kPa, which is 36 psi or 2.5 bar, for all four wheels on both variants. The TPMS raises a low-pressure alert when any tyre falls below 80 percent of that standard, which works out to 200 kPa, or 29 psi. It also raises a high-temperature alarm if any tyre exceeds 85 degrees for three consecutive minutes, exact thresholds straight from the manual that most guides never publish.
Dolphin Pressures at a Glance
| Measurement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recommended pressure | 250 kPa (36 psi / 2.5 bar), all four wheels |
| Applies to | Both variants, 16 and 17 inch fitments |
| TPMS low-pressure alert | Below 80% of standard, about 200 kPa (29 psi) |
| TPMS temperature alert | Above 85 degrees for 3 consecutive minutes |
| Check frequency | At least monthly, per the manual |
The Pressure Chart: kPa, psi, and bar
| Measurement | kPa | psi | bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended, all four wheels | 250 | 36 | 2.5 |
| TPMS low-pressure alert point (80% of standard) | About 200 | About 29 | About 2.0 |
One number to remember in whichever unit your gauge speaks: 250 kPa, 36 psi, or 2.5 bar. Both variants use it despite their different tyre sizes, 195/60R16 on the Standard Range and 205/50R17 on the Extended, which keeps ownership refreshingly simple.
The TPMS Thresholds Most Guides Never Publish
Here is where the manual delivers detail you will struggle to find elsewhere. The Dolphin uses direct tyre pressure monitoring, with real sensors in each wheel, and the manual states its exact alert logic.
- The 80 percent rule: When any tyre's pressure falls below 80 percent of the standard value, the tyre pressure warning light comes on and that tyre's reading turns yellow on the cluster. With a 250 kPa standard, that alert point works out to about 200 kPa, or 29 psi
- The 85 degree temperature alarm: If any tyre's temperature stays above 85 degrees for three consecutive minutes, the system raises a high-temperature alarm and the reading turns yellow. The manual's advice is to stop and let the tyre cool before driving on
- The fault state: If the system itself faults, the warning light goes solid after flashing and the cluster shows "No Signal" or "Please check TPMS", with pressures displayed as dashes
Knowing the actual thresholds changes how you read the warnings: a yellow pressure value means you have already lost a fifth of your air, so treat it as a genuine leak check, not a nag.
Clearing Up a Common Mix-Up
Some guides quote a TPMS "green band" of 180 to 320 kPa for the Dolphin. In the manual, those figures actually belong to the puncture repair kit: they are the coloured zones on the kit's inflator gauge, where failing to reach 180 kPa within 10 minutes means the tyre is beyond the sealant, and reaching 180 to 320 kPa means you can drive gently to distribute it.
The TPMS itself works on the 80 percent rule above. Two different systems, two different numbers, and the manual is precise about each.
How to Check Pressures Properly
- Check cold: Measure before driving, or after the car has sat, since warm tyres read higher
- Monthly at minimum: The manual's maintenance schedule calls for a pressure check at least once a month
- Use the cluster screen: Press the steering wheel button to open the cluster menu and scroll to the tyre pressure screen for live per-tyre readings
- Set to 250 kPa: Inflate or deflate to the standard, and the manual notes pressures shift with regional temperatures, so adjust against the displayed values
- Before long trips: A quick check with a loaded car is cheap insurance
After Rotations or New Rims: Re-Match the System
A manual detail that catches people out: the tyre pressure system needs to be matched again after wheel rim replacement or tyre rotations, at a BYD authorised dealer or service provider. If your readings look scrambled after a rotation, positions swapped or values odd, that re-match is the fix, not a sensor failure.
The manual also notes non-approved electrical accessories can interfere with the readings, which is worth knowing before assuming a fault.
The Kit Worth Keeping
Two small tools make the monthly check effortless: a quality pressure gauge and a compact tyre inflator that lives in the boot. Set the inflator to 250 kPa, and top-ups take a minute in the driveway rather than a detour to a servo.
Further Reading
For which tyres the Dolphin wears and why the two variants differ, our Dolphin tyre size and pressure guide covers the full picture, and for how BYD's sedan handles the same job, the Seal tyre pressure guide makes a useful comparison.